The Orange Magazine - Vol. 21

Page 13

Tony Moore

Singer-Songwriter & Promoter “Iron Maiden” and “Cutting Crew”

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Table of Contents Page 3-4 Zach West Page 6-8 Beyond The Grey Page 9-11 Steve Schmidlapp of Blue Heron

Page 13-16 Tony Moore

Singer-Songwriter, Promoter, “Iron Maiden” and “Cutting Crew”

Page 22-23 Jojo Picasso Page 25-26 BadgyalShiShi

Page 18-21 Homer Marrs

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Zach West

Healing Power of Music When did you first get into music?

I was seven my parents took me to see Dizzy Gillespie at the Botanic Gardens. I was mesmerized by the drummer, and a year later decided I wanted to play the drums. My best friend was already taking drum lessons, and so my parents signed me up to take lessons from the same teacher. I became obsessed, and never looked back.

Who or What inspired you to pursue a career in music?

My music always encouraged me to a music career, both as a performer and as a teacher.

How has your music evolved since you first began performing?

My to music has evolved in a profound and surprising way since I began exploring this universal language. I have realized that music heals. This happens through a personal exploration with one’s own relationship to organized sound. It is less about commercial success through performance, and more about tuning and toning the nervous through the healing power of music!!!

I’m sure you have shared the stage with a lot of talented artists/celebrities along the way.

I have made amazing music with Ron Miles the jazz trumpeter, and Rudy Royston the drummer. I had the pleasure of playing both at the same time. It was an out of body experience for sure. Rather than feeling overwhelmed that I was playing with such great musicians, I relaxed into the moment and played music like a kid. At one point they were both smiling at me while we were playing “Impressions” by John Coltrane, and this moment had quite an Impression on my life (pun intended)!

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If you were forced to choose only one, which emotion, more than any other drives you to stay in this tough business? Is it joy, anger, desire, passion or pride and why?

It would have to be a passion for service. I choose to harness music as a healing agent in order to serve the larger community. Music is a first and foremost.

Which ingredient do you think makes you special and unique as a performing artist in an industry overflowing with new faces and ideas?

A Medicinal! I believe in music as a rainbow bridge between personality and Soul!

What has been your biggest challenge as a musician? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?

My biggest challenge has been letting go of the notion that music is a commercial art! It is a medicine that deserves the highest degree of respect. I have overcome that challenge by offering a variety of methodologies that focus on the Soul and the body’s ability to heal itself Tonal Nutrition!

A common phrase in the industry is, “you must suffer for your art.” Do you agree with this statement? If so, how have you suffered for your art?

Gravity causes suffering! Before our adventure into the world of gravity, we existed in a fetal bath of sonic bliss, and tonal paradise. Music is primarily an agent that reminds us of our state.

How do you feel the internet has impacted the music business?

The internet is an entropic device. It has amazing ability to spread music around the globe, but always contains the propensity for mess.

A common phrase in the industry is, “you must suffer for your art.” Do you agree with this statement? If so, how have you suffered for your art?

Gravity causes suffering! Before our adventure into the world of gravity, we existed in a fetal bath of sonic bliss, and tonal paradise. Music is primarily an agent that reminds us of our state.

How do you feel the internet has impacted the music business?

The internet is an entropic device. It has amazing ability to spread music around the globe, but always contains the propensity for mess.

Have you done or plan on doing any Live-stream Concerts? If you have, how has the response been from your fans?

I have a lot of live! The best response I have gotten has been for the streams that focus on my methodology called Tonal Nutrition! It is both a concert and a meditation!

If you could change anything about the music industry. What would it be?

I would the communal need for healing and decrease the unhealthy aspects of commercialism.

What are the 5 albums that have helped make you the person you are today? And why?

Ron Miles – My Cruel Heart. This album introduced me to modern experimental Jazz. It helped that I knew most of the musicians on the album.

Tool – Lateralus. This album is all about healing the unconscious saboteur. You can tell the band was into getting over their own bullshit! It has been very healing for me!

Faith No More – Angel Dust. This album is hilarious!

Jonathan Goldman – Healing Sounds. One of the first albums I heard that was specifically geared toward the healing powers of music.

John Zorn – Magick. This albums music as a agent of personal change in accordance with our true will!

Tell us about your current project. Are you working on new music? An EP or Album?

I am currently working on an that explores the 8 Circuit model of human consciousness. It will be mainly handpan, tongue drum, and hand drums.

What’s next for you?

Using music to heal myself and anyone else who finds that music be a primary source for health and wellness.

How can fans-to-be gain access to your career?

Visit my website zachwesti2c2.com

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Bailey Elora Listen, Like & Download Bailey Elora’s new single: “DRUNK RN” https://linktr.ee/baileyelora

Photo of Bailey Elora by Ricky Zastrow @coloradophotoworks

Beyond The Grey Thoughtful Hard Rock

What first got you into music?

My parents were huge music lovers and I grew up listening to everything from Kenny Rogers and the OakRidge Boys to The Commodores, The Doobie Brothers, The Doors, Kiss, Zeppelin and Priest.

Music has always been more of a soundtrack to my life than just something I listen to. I can feel it.

Who inspired you to make music?

I think my biggest influence in making music was Robert Smith of The Cure. I’m a very emotional person and although I don’t write or sound like him I think listening to the way he wrote about life gave me a freedom to tell my story and not be ashamed of it.

How would you describe the music that you typically create?

Thoughtful Hard Rock.

How did you come up with the name of the band?

It really boils down to this...we as a band are typically the old guys on a ticket and we all have gray in our hair...but...we also know that regardless of our age or our hair color we can still bring it. There is life yet to be lived Beyond The Grey.

Name all the band members and the instrument they play?

David Lingenfelter - Vocals, Jim Mcneill - Bass, John Alexander Guitar, Scott David Cameron - Guitar, and Eric Nissen - Drums.

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What is your creative process like?

Honestly it varies. Sometimes we write stuff on the fly at rehearsal and sometimes I’ll work on a song with Jim, John or Scott outside of rehearsal and then we’ll take it down for everyone to start working on once we kinda get the bones of the song.

Who would you most like to collaborate with?

Robert Smith of The Cure or Johnny Cash if he was still with us.

If you could go open a show for any artist who would it be?

As a band I’m not sure we would all agree on just one. You might hear Slayer, SevenDust, Cheap Trick, The Cure or Pink Floyd depending on who you ask and what day you ask them.

What is one message you would give to your fans?

Do not let your past dictate who you want to be.

What is the most useless talent you have?

I can play an amazing air guitar!

Do you sing in the shower? What songs?

Yes and whatever I last listened to.

What would you be doing right now, if it wasn’t for your music career?

Probably waiting tables...which I actually do enjoy.

Where have you performed? What are your favorite and least favorite venues?

I think our favorite place so far has been the VooDoo Lounge in Kansas City.

Do you have any upcoming shows?

We have a few things in the works. Our web site and Facebook pages will up-date as soon as they are locked in.

How do you feel the Internet has impacted the music business?

Hmmmmm...it’s kind of a mixed bag answer. It has for sure opened the door for all of the independent bands to put our stuff out there and have people from all over the world check out your stuff...but in my opinion it has oversaturated the market and made it a lot harder to break through for more than 5 minutes before the next single drops by a thousand other artists and all you worked on gets pushed aside. It is also harder to get people to purchase an entire album or even a single for that matter when you can simply stream everything for free. Spotify for instance...great platform to be able to post your music...but we all know the musicians get next to nothing for spins. All in all...it’s a toss up which I’m sure depends based on what you are trying to do as a musician.

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What is your favorite song to perform?

Probably a split between Now or Never and When The Castle Falls.

Which famous musicians do you admire?

Freddie Mercury. One of the greatest voices and showman of all times.

What is the most trouble you’ve ever gotten into?

I was arrested for having a knife concealed in my car... never mind the fact that it was in the bottom of a box which i was in the middle of moving from one apartment to another and I didn’t even know it was there lol.

What is the best advice you’ve been given?

Live honestly.

If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be?

The money brought in by streaming companies would actually go to the musicians.

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What’s next for you?

We are just going to keep writing/recording and playing out as much as possible!

Steve Schmidlapp Working on his Future

When did you first get into music?

As far as I can remember I’ve always been into music. On my 4th Birthday my parents gave a small cassette player and a Buddy Holly and Sha Na Na tape. I can remember playing those cassette over and over again. I was so proud to have music of my own and my passion has never changed.

Who or What influenced you to pursue a career in music?

When I was six I stumbled upon MTV, the 1st 2 videos I saw were Van Halen’s Hot for Teacher followed by Twisted Sister’s We’re Not Going to Take it. At that point in time I said to myself “I want to be like those guys”. (I never looked at my 1st grade Teacher the same, lol) In grade school I’d draw a guitar on a cardboard box and cut it out to play cardboard guitar, eventually I graduated to a real guitar forming my 1st band, Atomic Waste at 13 years old.

Describe your style of music.

Groovy Powerful Riffs that take the listener on a musical journey embracing the heavier side of Rock.

How has your music evolved since you first became a performing artist?

Most definitely has evolve a lot. In my twenties my goal was to show how I’ve grown as a musician, I seemed to try to overcomplicate things. Currently I focus on what’s best for the song regardless of “simplicity”, going with the theory of “if it sounds or feels good don’t change it.”.

Which ingredient do you think makes you special and unique as a performing artist in an industry overflowing with new faces and ideas?

This is a hard question to answer because I believe every artist has something special and unique to offer their listeners.

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The desire to share your passion with others is special on it’s own. I’d like to say that I deliver my art in a unique way because it’s real and delivered in passionate way, however I’m sure any performing artist would say the same.

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What has been your biggest challenge as a performing artist? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?

The biggest challenge is making enough money to solely do music. Balancing paying the bills and striving to “make it” is so hard. Besides essentials like a roof over your head and food, you also need money for music gear, recordings, transportation, rehearsal space, and so on. This is an ongoing challenge that I’m actively trying to overcome by hopefully achieving overwhelming success.

A common phrase in the industry is, “you must suffer for your art.” Do you agree with this statement? If so, how have you suffered for your art?

No, I don’t. Suffering involves negative thoughts. If your current mindset is “I’m a suffering artist,” you’ll more than likely never grow. You’re art should make you happy, if it makes you happy it will make other’s happy. People embrace positive energy, if you feel that you’re suffering you’re exuding negative energy which is not attractive. I believe with hard work and dedication one can accomplish anything. By choice you will have to sacrifice time, money, and some of the finer things to accomplish your goals. This is the case if you’re to achieve any sort of success in life whether you’re a Rock Star or a Dr.

How do you feel the internet has impacted the music industry?

The internet has impacted the industry tremendously in both positive and negative ways. The internet has made the DIY approach possible and achievable, which is great for independent artist and labels, it actually gives us some sort of voice.

In the last 20 years we’ve seen a lot of successful artists and labels emerge out of nowhere, who might have not stood a chance when Major Record Labels and MTV ruled the world.

However because it is so easy to listen to music without purchasing it, it’s very hard to make a living playing music without touring and creative merch sales.

If you could change anything about the music industry, what would it be?

I wish it was simple!!

How did you come up with the name of your band?

Currently I’m in 2 different bands and lucky for me the band names were already decided. Coming up with a name is so difficult because it’s hard to find something cool that hasn’t already been used.

What are the 5 albums that have helped shape your band’s sound? And why?

This is so hard to answer because everyone in the band is influenced by different bands and styles of music, which is great because that is what makes our sound as a group so unique. As a group we embrace heavy groovy rock that is influenced by late 60’s and 70’s rock, with a mixture of the 90’s grunge /thrash / desert rock, followed by 2000’s doom and stoner rock.

If you could go open a show for any artist/band, who would it be?

Opening for Black Sabbath would be a dream, but honestly I’d open for anyone because I love to play live and enjoy pretty much all forms of live music.

What is the best advice you have received?

Don’t give up on your passion until your passion is no longer a passion.

Tell us about your current project.

Blue Heron is currently my main project. We are a four piece based Desert/Stoner/Doom Rock band out of Albuquerque New Mexico that formed in 2018. Blue Heron consists of Jadd Schickler - vocals, Mike Chavez - guitar, Ricardo Sanchez - drums, and myself Steve Schmidlapp - bass. In 2019 we started to hit the local circuit with momentum going into 2020 then covid hit. Which really was a blessing in disguise, because we were able to focus on writing music. In February of 2021 we went into the studio and recorded enough material for entire Album. In December we’re independently releasing a 7 inch in December while shopping label support for the entire album.

I also play guitar in a band called Prey For Kali which is also a heavy rock band. Prey For Kali consist of Mike Martinez – vocals, Eric Paulk – guitar/vocals, Rueben Castillo – Drums, Josh Vigil – bass, Steve Schmidlapp – guitar.

What’s next for you? New Music?

Blue Heron is releasing the Single Black Blood of the Earth both digitally and on a 7 inch album with A Sunken Place as a B-Side in December 2021. The video for Black Blood of the Earth will be released by the time this article is published.

Blue Heron has a show booked on December 11th at Sister Bar in Albuquerque NM. While shopping label support to release our full album that has been recorded, we are in the process of writing the next album.

In regards to Prey For Kali we are continuing to jam and have great time enjoying each other’s company.

How can fans-to-be gain access to your music and follow your career? www.facebook.com/blueheronabq www.instagram.com/blueheronabq/ https://blueheronabq.bandcamp.com/ www.facebook.com/steve.schmidlapp/ www.instagram.com/big_steves1/ www.facebook.com/PreyForKali www.instagram.com/preyforkali/

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Tony Moore Singer-Songwriter & Promoter, “Iron Maiden” and “Cutting Crew”

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Interview by Eileen Shapiro Tony Moore: “Awake”...”A Journey to Discover Truth, Meaning and Love, In A World That’s Gone Crazy” The world shifts around us and we shape ourselves to fit inside both imperfect and beautiful, wounded and thriving, delicate and vulnerable, yet forever moving on.

Tony Moore, singer/songwriter, promoter, “Iron Maiden” and “Cutting Crew” superstar, has recently has recently woken up and created his new concept album “AWAKE”, which he performs in its entirety at “The Bedford” in London quite often. “AWAKE” is a very deep expose, bearing witness to all that he is, and all that he was, his calling, his mission, his joy.....

The album who’s tracks hold a larger purpose and meaning collectively than they do individually, is a mixture of Symphonic textures, art rock, with a colorful avant-garde edginess where moments hang suspended, and where he doesn’t let his personal insecurities get in the way of his clarity. As a guardian to the threshold of personal freedom, and the knowledge that time cannot be defined as it only moves in one direction, the album exposes his soul to the light, which sometimes seems fragile, too vulnerable for scrutiny and too delicate to live, yet he protects it with his dazzling rendition of the ribbons in his life through his music....

I had an intimate conversation with Tony regarding “AWAKE” and the story behind its creation......

I love everything you’ve ever done from “Iron Maiden” to “Died in a Your Arms”, and now you are talking about “AWAKE” and performing it at the Bedford in London.

I’ve done 6 now, I think the seventh one is next Thursday and then a short break till September, and then roughly one month. It’s obviously my newest project and I’m very excited about that.

Exactly what is AWAKE? “AWAKE” is a concept album. In an age where people are releasing solo tracks I’ve gone against the grain and gone right back to my roots to the 60s and 70s rock kind of concept albums and progressive rock, and made something for me really that I am absolutely passionate about. It seems to be translating to other people and the tagline is in a nutshell, “ It’s a journey to discover truth, meaning and love in a world that’s gone crazy.” So that should tell you quite a lot about it. It’s about these last 18 months.

It’s about my observations and my thoughts and my feelings and my creative response to what I’ve been thinking about. It’s also about looking at my life‘s journey. I think one thing that’s happened over the last year is I don’t think there is a single person on this planet that hasn’t at some point just questioned what their life is about, and where their life is going, because everything was thrown in the air in a way that there was no certainty or no future that you could plan on.

That’s for sure.

That’s a scary place to be especially for many people, but for a planet it’s a very scary thing to think that we were all going through this very intense and weird emotional and mental challenge right now. So, there is a lot of self-reflection in it, thinking about my journey and the things I wanted to achieve...as well as the things I have yet to do. And there is also a reflection on the relationship with myself and my mom who has always been such a great supporter in my life and my music until now. I’m spending a lot of time looking after her because she needs it. In a weird way the universe gave me this time where I had nothing else to do except stay home. I wasn’t conflicted. There wasn’t a six month tour of Europe that I had to cancel to stay home with my mom. They called it a blessing in disguise and I think for many of us there were lots of blessings in disguise, along with the challenges in the tragedies of what we’ve all experienced.

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So “AWAKE” started with one song, which was the first song that was really just a guitar riff. I spent an hour or so working on that recording and sent it to some friends as an instrumental. Everyone wrote a little message back saying that they were loving it and that

it should be in the movie because it was really great. I was quite inspired by the positive feedback, so I did some more. Then after about 4 1/2 minutes of guitar I thought maybe I should sing something. So, I kind of just sang the first thing that came into my head. And I had this feeling about AWAKE, because it’s a big word right now but it was really about just becoming aware to everything around us. It’s about just being aware of everything as much as possible. We are being bombarded with information from every single direction and it’s important not to stick our heads in the sand because right now we have to think about the actions we taken and the decisions we make. It’s important to have informed choice in our lives. In order to do that we have to be awake to what’s happening around us. So that was kind of the concept of the song. When I finished it, I thought, well it’s nine minutes long, and it’s not a hit single by any stretch of the imagination.

The chorus comes after five minutes into the song and it fits none of the boxes that says this is what you should be doing to make popular music. But people seemed to like it. Then I did this one live video where I just played the guitar for nine minutes and I managed to get to the end without messing anything up and I put it up on Facebook.

Within days I had thousands and thousands of views which was brilliant. So, I thought I should do more of that. I thought this is the beginning of a concept album and I gave myself two months, the months of February and March to try and write, record and finish an album that felt very cohesive as a journey. It has some exciting moments, and it has some restful moments, and some moving moments, but it should feel like it flows. By the time it’s the end of it, and it actually went quite quickly, it’s about 70 minutes long. So that’s kind of the genesis of it. Whilst I was doing it, I was thinking this has to be a live show because it’s too dramatic and theatrical not to have a theatrical and dramatic presentation. So, I was collecting and editing videos and images to go with the songs that I knew would support that in a live environment, without knowing quite how and when I would do it. By the time we got to May in the UK .... I finished everything and recorded everything, but it’s not released here at the moment unless you come to one of my shows, in which case I give you a private download of the album. Lots of friends have heard it, but it’s too complicated to just put it out. It needs to be done with love and caring and thought so as not to waste all of the work it represents without just putting it out there and hoping someone will find it.

You are very deep.

Thank you Eileen, I did think very deeply about a lot of things. And even though when I’m presenting shows, my radio show and things like that I can be very light and fun, but underneath everything there is a certain spiritual nature and humanitarian nature to things that I’m trying to do to make music for other people as well as me. And by the time I finished the album I realized that I had a live show pretty much ready to go. So, in May, when we started back at the Bedford, our first live show back I did my presentation of the show. I spent 10 days working at it with my team at the Bedford because it’s highly choreographed. I only talk three times in an hour. The rest of it is just moving from guitar to guitar, and keyboards back to the center. It runs like clockwork because it has to. It is an immersive experience for people. So even though they’re a small audiences (from 60 to 100 people), the environment feels very full and there is just stuff happening all around everyone. So, you never know quite where something is going to happen, but I don’t want to give too much away for people who haven’t seen the show yet.

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Don’t give any away...keep it intriguing.

So that’s the idea and now I’m trying to work out how to get it to a touring version. Obviously the Bedford is my venue as I’ve been curating music there for 18 years, so it’s kind of my home to do what I want there, but to go to another venue without a large touring budget, I have to work at what essentials can I bring with me and how can I transport most environments to make it a suitable place to experience the show? There were also a lot of technical challenges I’m thinking of simultaneously.

I hope I get to see it. So, with everything that you’ve ever done have you had your ultimate stage fantasy yet?

That’s a great question.... And bizarrely enough it’s very pertinent because I am having my ultimate stage fan tasy right now. This is it. I’m doing a show that I’ve always dreamed about being able to do since I’m 16. But at 16 I didn’t know how to do it and I certainly did not have enough profile to be able to pull it off, or enough experience. Everything that I have done in my life I’ve loved. I am definitely one of “I don’t regret anything crowd.” Even the tough and challenging things that in the moment felt very hard really taught me so much and gave me such a cool set of experiences to draw on that I really don’t regret anything. I’ve been blessed to do some incredible shows and to make some fantastic music and tour the world. For many people I’ve done more than most people can dream. My dream was always to do what I’m kind of doing now, a very theatrical Tony Moore kind of show. “AWAKE” represents something very special to me and bizarrely enough, I think people realize that. I’ve had a lot of people comment on my Facebook page saying that they know me for years, but what I’m doing now seems to be the pinnacle of my career. This seems to be what I’ve been working towards. In fact, there is a radio presenter called Jonathan L who was originally from the states and he has a great syndicated show once a week. I think it was about three weeks ago he made the beginning of his show the entire album. That was 72 minutes and he played it from beginning to end. I thought it was not only such an incredible compliment but a remarkable idea of supporting something that needed to be heard and it’s entirety the first time. It’s hard to take one track out and really get a feel for it. I was very grateful to him for doing that. He thinks it’s the coming together of everything I’ve ever done in one place.

How cool is that? If you could have me ask you any question on the planet what would it be and how would you answer it?

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I need to think about that for a second..... Tony, if you could play with any artist on the planet who would it be? Peter Gabriel. I’d love to do a track with him. He is one of my childhood heroes, an inspiration because, first of all I love his voice, but I love the ethic and the

moral foundation of what he stands for, what his music represents, and as a kid I aspired to be as much like that as possible in my own way. But, if I could have the opportunity to work with any artist, it would certainly be Peter Gabriel.

Do you by any chance know Leland Sklar, who has played with Peter Gabriel?

I’m going to tell you something really, really strange right now... About 15 minutes before we started to talk, I was watching a technical video on YouTube and the video finished and the next interview that came up was an interview with Leland Sklar... He has even played at the Bedford. He’s incredible. He’s a legend, he’s played with everyone on the planet pretty much.

Is there anything else that you want to talk about that we haven’t talked about?

Yeah... I wear many hats, no pun intended because I also wear many hats. But, I wear many creative hats that represent different roles. One of my biggest passions in life is shining the spotlight on new and emerging talent. This is something I have done for 25 years or so. Over the years, I’ve heard and seen so many great artists. About eight or nine years ago, I met a girl called Ilona who hasn’t done anything in the music business, but was a friend of one of my relatives. She told me she wanted to sing and so I listened to her voice, I played the piano and she sang “Summertime.” I thought what an incredible voice! Especially, for someone that had no experience, it was just a natural talent. We worked together really closely over the last eight years or so writing and recording. She has changed her name to ILO and I am such a fan of her voice. We’ve done hundreds and hundreds of shows together and I think she is a very special talent. We are in the world now we’re still the futures a little bit misty for all of us. We all have to fight on and do what we can and exude positive energy. But, she is somebody that I think deserves a much bigger audience and much bigger recognition.

I have no doubt that as things move forward for her, she will.

The official website for Tony Moore may be found here: https://www.tonymooremusic.com Photo Credits: Mike Prior & Richard Mountain

Homer Marrs Singer-Songwriter

Hi Homer Marrs, it’s an honor to have you on the platform.

Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?

Sure! My first love was acting, specifically improv and sketch comedy. I did that professionally for several years and first began writing songs for comedy shows. I loved comedy but when I realized I had things I wanted to say that were not just funny, I shifted to focus on music. In Chicago I played with a band as Homer Marrs and the Excellent Adventure. We released two EPs and a few videos. Now that I’m in L.A. I am rocking it solo acoustic again, which is different but also fun.

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Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way?

Whoa, so many. You have to really love making your art if you’re going to stick with it. There are so many haters out there, and there are always a thousand other people trying to do something similar to you. I’ve learned to believe that every voice is unique, as cliché as that sounds, and that if you really believe in your own voice and hyper-focus on expressing your perspective, people will respond and relate. I started believing in the Law of Attraction several years ago after laughing at it for awhile,

and my life actually got a lot easier and better once I did. So I do my best to think positively and feel gratitude daily (again, as cliché as that sounds).

Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?

No, I wish I could say that!

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?

I am a singer–songwriter with an affinity for quirky lyrics, humor and catchy melodies. You can sense my comedy background even in my more serious songs like “Ben,” I think. I grew up on guitar-based alt rock and gay pop, and I think that comes through. I love dropping Easter eggs in homage to my influences.

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?

Start an indie playlist with a specific focus and get to know the other people whose songs you feature. The indie scene is full of some awesome people trying their hardest to get their music heard, and when you find other unsigned artists whose stuff you like who also likes yours, it is really supportive to share out each other’s songs and give tips and tricks to one another.

How would you describe the music that you typically create?

Catchy songs with curious lyrics and heartfelt sentiment. Pop/rock on a six-string to make your mind sing.

Do you feel there are bigger obstacles to become a LGBTQ artist?

Yes. For years we were totally relegated to fringe music with no major-label potential. Things are changing for the better as many people now see a queer perspective as an asset and something worth hearing. But, it’s more accepted in the pop music/Top 40 genre. People doing rock or rap are still having trouble being taken seriously, from what I see.

What sets your music apart? What is unique, or at least uncommon?

My point of view, I think. There’s a phrase I learned in a poetry class in college that I love: “It’s through the particular that we show the universal.” I really believe every artist should consider their voice unique no matter how similar they may feel to others. No two lives are the same. No two minds are the same. Your song about a broken heart, falling in love, or any other common subject, will be different from someone else’s if you really get specific.

What is your creative process like?

When I write late at night I start with the guitar and go for reflective/somber chord progressions with lots of suspensions. When it’s during the day I write more major-chord, uptempo stuff. It’s funny to me how time of day really affects the vibe of whatever I’m working on. Took me awhile to notice that. My lyrics I refine the most. I take those very seriously as for me I’ve always felt the words are where I’m most directly connecting with the listener. That might not

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be what’s actually happening, but in my mind it is. So my first takes of songs have like a line or two I came up with and a lot of “la-la-la, something-something” on the recordings. Then I ask myself what I’m really trying to say and get to the lyrical part of it.

Can you tell me about your single “BEN” and how you came up with that name for the single and why?

Well for starters, I’ve never dated a Ben! I didn’t want to use the name of any actual ex-boyfriend. I always like the Michael Jackson song of the same name. I loved that it was a sweet song but written to accompany a horror movie. Crispin Glover has long been an influence of mine, and in 2003 he did his own cover of the song when he played the title character in the remake of Willard. Lastly, I grew up on alt rock and Veruca Salt had a song called “Benjamin.” So it was a trifecta of influences that worked perfectly as I had no real Ben in my dating history.

As for the song itself, some of it is literally true and other of it is assembled from various life experiences. It’s at once about unrequited love and realizing when your drinking or drug use has really interfered with your life. The song is sadder about it all than I am now, though. It was a cathartic release.

What was the idea behind the music video?

I think isolation was a driving factor. The song talks about Ben being single, but of course is more about the singer feeling isolated (even though it’s pointing again and again to someone else being alone). It was written and filmed in the pandemic so isolation was a ubiquitous theme. When it came to filming, it made sense both artistically and for production purposes to have only one person in the video—to enhance the loneliness that the song sings about, but also reflect the loneliness we were all feeling from the pandemic.

Who would you most like to collaborate with?

Oh, Evan Dando, my longtime alt-rock hero. I’ve always been impressed how he vacillates from poetic to poppy, deep to fun. He’s got a real way with chords and I learned a lot about chord structure playing along to Lemonheads records.

If you could go open a show for any artist who would it be?

John Grant! I discovered his music about ten years ago and have been consistently impressed. He’s a gay may like me who sings very confessionally and candidly, sometimes comically sometimes explicitly, so I think it would be a natural fit as far as tone and audience go. Plus all the hot bears go to his shows. Yes, please.

What is one message you would give to your fans?

Try to look at life through rose-tinted glasses. The more beauty you see, the more beauty you experience.

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What is the most useless talent you have?

I can do the Dr. Claw voice from Inspector Gadget with disturbing accuracy.

Do you sing in the shower? What songs?

OMG, yes! Sometimes I make weird noises that are somewhere between scales and warmups, other times I sing cheesy pop. When I say “cheesy” I mean good ’80s pop. “Only in My Dreams” by Debbie Gibson is a great shower number. If I’m feeling moody my neighbors will hear bad Alice in Chains as my water runs.

What would you be doing right now, if it wasn’t for your music career?

Hosting a game show, naturally.

Where have you performed? What are your favourite and least favourite venues? Do you have any upcoming shows?

With The Excellent Adventure I performed in a lot of clubs and bars in Chicago with some touring. One of my favorite rooms to play ever was Sidetrack the Video Bar in Chicago. It’s not a traditional music venue but it’s a legendary home for the LGBTQ community and their sound was surprisingly phenomenal in what they call the Glass Bar. Also it was a gorgeous room. That show was ages ago but it’s one of my favorites. In L.A. I would love to play Hotel Café, it’s a great little space for both indie artists and legends like Rufus Wainwright (whom my friend just saw there, color me jealous!).

How do you feel about the way covid-19 has impacted the music business?

I dunno if I can speak to the industry as a whole, but of course artists all took a massive hit losing live performances.

So I guess it’s been atrocious for business. But, quarantining gave a lot of people more time to listen to music and discover new artists at home. I definitely benefitted from that. So, silver lining is I think the number of online new-music-hunters went up!

What is your favourite song to perform?

I have a song called “Destroy You Whole” that I love to play live, primarily for the guitar riff. It’s simple, bright and bouncy, even though the lyrics are dark, and something about the physical playing of that main riff kinda puts me into a joy trance.

Which famous musicians do you admire?

Oooh… so many. Evan Dando and John Grant, as mentioned above. On the hard end of my spectrum I love Danzig, on the softer end, Suzanne Vega. And I always like artsy risk-takers like Kate Bush, Lady Gaga and Stephen Malkmus.

What is the most trouble you’ve ever gotten into?

That you can print??? Well… I was handcuffed and put into a police car one time for taking a whiz in an alley outside a bar. That was kinda ridiculous and funny in hindsight. They were hoping I had drugs on me because the neighborhood was trying to oust the bar and catch them for whatever they could, but I didn’t. Sadly, the bar did close years later. A historic community gem we lost to gentrification.

What is the best advice you’ve been given?

In every moment, look for something to appreciate. The more you do, the easier it is to do so by default, and suddenly the difficult things get harder and harder to notice.

If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be?

I’d want radio stations to be empowered to promote indie artists alongside the major-label ones. They could do this, but don’t, and instead if any unsigned bands or singers get on the radio is usually in the guise of an indie-hour once a week or something. I’d like to see more of a mix of indie and established artists in general. It feels like things that are indie are 100% indie and anything not is 100% not. I think a blend would be better.

What’s next for you?

Just entered the studio to record the follow-up to “Ben.” This one’s brighter sonically and more uptempo, but still serious. I’m also performing at an event called Bearlesque in November. A night of big-boy musicians and stripteases.

I’m the former. ☺ Contact Info: Instagram: @homermarrs Facebook: @homermarrsmusic Twitter: @homermarrs

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Jojo Picasso

Sight on the Horizon What inspired you to pursue a career in music?

Theirs a lot of various answers and I guess the way I felt listening to it made me want to learn how to create it from pop to R&B to Rock to rap it made you feel something and i wanted others to feel something from my music.

Describe your style of music.

Eclectic it’s a balance of multiple vibes at once i feel like music is whatever you’re feeling at the moment How has your music evolved since you first started in the music industry?

I figured out my style and what elements do i bring to music and how my cadence or melodies can add to a masterpiece.

If you were forced to choose only one, which emotion, more than any other, drives you to stay in this tough industry? Is it joy, anger, desire, passion or pride and why?

It gives off a vulnerable feeling that someone may be feeling the same way I do but doesn’t have the song to describe the way they feel.

Which ingredient do you think makes you special and unique as a performing artist in an industry overflowing with new faces and ideas?

The energy I bring is spontaneous I pride myself on being able to do just about everything and still be authentic.

What has been your biggest challenge as a performing artist? Have you been able to overcome that challenge?

If so, how?

Having the necessary funds to push your brand how you need to managing your artistic ideas at a independent level.

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A common phrase in the industry is, “you must suffer for your art.” Do you agree with this statement? If so, how have you suffered for your art?

Yeah, you must be in vulnerable place to make some of your best music.

How do you feel the internet has impacted the music business?

You can distribute and push and post your own art which can possibly cut out the middle man and with the NFTs probably being the next wave it should get interesting.

If you could change anything about the music industry, what would it be?

The fact they a lot of people treat you a certain way based off who you know instead of the integrity and talent of an individual.

What are the 5 albums that have helped make you the person you are today? And why?

Chris Brown (album) Usher - Confessions Michael Jackson - Thriller Queen - News of the World Isaia Huron - I’ll write the lyrics later They all have components in them that was different for their time period and it gave a feel like nun other and you can literally listen to most of these all the way through.

How has COVID affected you and your music career?

Yes & No couldn’t do paid shows but i learned how to engineer myself then start engineering other people and made a lot of unexpected money from that and i also have the creative outlet and sit and crest when i want to cuz i have my own out of house studio.

How can fans-to-be gain access to your music and follow your career?

On all streaming platforms and all social media sites under: Jojo Picasso or @iamjojopicasso

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Kristin Marushka @getfitwithkris

Doug Mungavin @dougmungavinphoto Location: Las Cruces, New Mexico

BadgyalShiShi Changing the Game

Tell us about your background and how did you get started in reggae music?

My background was rough. Raised myself on the mean streets of Milwaukee n Chicago. Although, I am of Moroccan decent. Reggae music is my first love…. its so very natural for me to sing it, has always been inside me. It’s blossomed in the proper environment. I do Trap Reggae which is a fusion of Hip Hop/Neo-Soul/R&B/Blues/Reggae.

Tell me about your song, “High”?

High is all about vibrations n conscious energy. High can b translated too. Becoming 1 with the frequency n one with the music. Not to hear it, but feel it.

Did you write the song?

Yes, I did.

What was your inspiration to write the song?

My inspiration was allowing the music to give euphoric feelings n unite the people thru music.

What is the best compliment you have received about your album, “High”?

That they love the song n it actually gave them a natural high.

What is the reggae scene like in your hometown? It’s very small n that’s y I’m not there.

What was the first Reggae song you ever heard?

Murder She Wrote Who and what are your influences?

The world is my influence and everyone in it… and at the same time, I’m very guarded n not easily influenced. I’m proud of that. U can only change me for the better!

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Who and what are your influences?

The world is my influence and everyone in it… and at the same time, I’m very guarded n not easily influenced. I’m proud of that. U can only change me for the better!

What style of Reggae is played often?

Probably Dancehall, because of the beats.

What style do the majority of fans seem to prefer?

Seems like they prefer what they can feel n relate to. My Shi-lytez are complex n prefer different tings at different times.

Was the fact that Reggae is English and Patois a barrier?

No, that’s what makes it more interesting, the fact that we can communicate in this way is sexy n more.

Who is your favorite Reggae Artist?

Oohhh…. I have so many, but probably Buju Banton & Spice.

Where do you think Reggae will be in 10 years time? And in Your country?

Leading the hearts and minds of the world. We need peace of mind. To the leaders that be, especially in this country, please leave the people alone with there own thought, we don’t want to die in a war you create for us in our minds. Reggae teaches love n peace and awareness.

In some countries you might see people wearing a Jamaican-style hats with fake dreadlocks attached when they attend reggae concerts and other events.

Do you see anything that you see in your country?

Yes, I have seen those, I think it’s funny. Imitation can be seen as flattery as long as it is tasteful.

Have you ever been to Jamaica?

Yes, to record music in Kingston at Big Ship Records. I stayed in Ocho Rios Unity Parrish. It was amazingly breathtaking.

Do you have many/any Jamaican people in your family?

Yes, we r all family.

If you were stuck on a deserted island and given the choice of 2 albums to put on your playlist, which artists would you choose?

Lauryn Hill and Jay Cole.

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